Day 325/365 (June 7, 2015)

Woke up completely torn about what to do concerning Dennis. I went back an forth a bazillion times before deciding not to go out there. If i had known sooner I would have planned my weekend around it, le sigh!

I ended up going for a long walk up the west side highway along Hudson Park. It was lovely. Then I popped into Hope's for a while and we had a nice chat then I left with some of her incredible cookies!

One of the cookies she gave me was Finding Neverland so I decided to go take a picture of it by the marquee and on the way out i ran into Gabe Violet. It was nice to have a quick chat, then i went and took the picture, and also one in the Tony Awards Pop Up Shop since they were just down the street from me. I was calling it #cookiesontour

Helped Sasha with more flowers, then eventually Ben (not her brother, her former step dad) came over and we had a delicious avocado salad. I also made more shishito peppers! Karena nd I also drank some Rumchata/fireball. Finally the the Finding Neverland Cookie after the opening number if the Tony Awards. The broadcast was pretty good, I thought Alan and Kristen did a great job hosting, the in memorium tribute was beautiful and there were no sound issues! I am sad that Brian d'Arcy James and Something Rotten didn't win though!

Charlie got his claws clipped and I pretended to win an award with Sasha's presentation bouquet... sadly the best picture was the one she missed the tiara. Fred "sniffs" the flowers.

Day 243/365 (March 17, 2015)

I spent most of the day at work tortured by the never ending ST. Patrick's Day parade. Finally I made a break for it and headed down to Trader Joe's. I made my way home and began cooking my stuffed peppers and making a strawberry banana "ice Cream." While I was making the stuffed peppers Ben asked me if I wanted to see Finding Neverland so I figured why not?!?!

That sent me into overdrive because I had less than 75 minutes to finish making dinner, clean my mess, eat, and shower. I rocked it out thankfully.

Met up with him and at first we were in the back of the orchestra by the creative team. Between Diane P and the rude patrons around us it was really hard to concentrate on the show from all the noise. We asked to be moved during intermission and got brought up much closer to the front where it was much quieter and could hear the show. I wouldn't mind seeing it again after it has opened to see what changes were made but as it is right now I am not really into it. There are things happening that are pointless. The funniest line in the show is an inside joke about Kelsey Grammar and Cheers and not the actual story itself. They need to add a line about the fact that J.M. Barrie is Scottish because the story takes place in London Matthew's accent is Scottish while everyone else is British (save Kelsey's character who they establish as American) so it seems like Matthew is doing the wrong accent and it is embarrassing, but when I looked up the real life person I saw he was Scottish so that was okay but how many people are going to do that and it is unfair for people to think he is doing a bad job when he is actually doing a great job. They also had quite a few technical difficulties. We could tell things were supposed to be happening that weren't so I would like to see those. Finally there is one moment involving glitter and fans and a robe that is one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen on a stage. That alone won my heart over!

I also kept running into other people I knew which was always nice :)

Day 212/365 (February 14, 2015)

Jess arrived super early so yay! I spent the day staying warm and having fun with Lola. I helped her with her thank you cards and bookmarks for the kids in her class. I was taking a picture of her working on them and she caught me and said "no pictures while I'm working" and then Karen was vacuuming and she put her hands on her ears and said "I can't concentrate." Then later on I pulled out our window markers when I thought about them and she and I had fun making pictures on the mirrors. She asked me all hurt like "why didn't you tell me about these before Tamra?" and i was like I forgot we had them. She ended up with green all over her hands from clean up and I was like you look like Elphaba and she asked who that was and I told her a wicked witch. I didn't know if she had seen the wizard of oz or knew about wicked. Then she said she knew of a wicked witch she is in wicked.... i was like well she is a Broadway baby! She also wanted to know why we still had snowflakes hanging up and didn't replace them with hearts.

Jess also told us about a "cat trap" where if you make a circle on the floor with tape cats will sit in it like a box... it worked!

I also made crepes that were wonderful!

Later I left to help Jess with Hedwig lotto an thankfully she got a ticket! Then I met up with Ben for dinner at Cosi before we went to see Jersey Boys thanks to Jordan Roth's twitter contest. I was treated like royalty. we were greeted by 3 different people, including the house manager, who called me by name and thanked us for being there on behalf of Jordan. We were given drink tickets and chocolate roses and the absolute best seats in the house in my opinion. It was truly a wonderful evening. I have always heard that Jordan is a stand-up guy but this was my first experience and he went above and beyond and I just can't get over how wonderful the evening was. The added bonus was I finally saw Jersey boys and can cross that off my dirty musical theatre secrets for not having seen it. I really enjoyed it and would love to see it again. Then after Ben and I went backstage because his friend Quinn offered to take us so we took a few pictures on stage and chatted for a bit.... definitely the cherry on top of it all!

Day 103/365 (October 28, 2014)

The day began by rushing Pippin. I got there earlier than I actually thought I needed to but I was awake and why not be safe than sorry. While rushing I gave Ally her shirt since she was there for the filming of the show for CBS' Thanksgiving Day Parade segment. I got my favorite seat AA109 and then headed home to make a change, then off to work for a bit. Later I came home and did a quick apartment tidy because I wasn't sure if I had a visitor coming over or not. Then i dropped some baked goods off at Pippin and came home to work on the cookies for my fall s'mores idea and making the cake balls for my first official order. The cookies were tasty but i really hate rolling out cookie dough for cookie cutters, i always forget how much I hate it until i do it again... fail! The cake ball making went pretty smoothly, I am a well oiled machine in that respect now!

Then Ravi and Josh came over for a bit to pick up some baked goodies and hang out. It was nice to see them and to show off the place, especially with all of the decorations Karen and Sasha have done for the party on Saturday. Then as I was in a baking madness for the rest of the night I realized the time and went to meet up to deliver my first order and on the way back I ran into the friend I was planning on meeting later, Rochelle,, and Ben was also with her. We chatted for a bit then I headed home, stuffed dinner in my face, changed, and headed back out to meet them. I gave them some cookies and went to see Pippin. When Ben tried the Pumpkin Snickerdoodles he was like I would place an order for these... success!

The show was lovely and I am so happy I was in "my seat" Then after the show I waited at the SD area per usual. I finally told Mike how much I enjoy his glitter confetti audience sprinkling in the beginning of Act Two and he told me how he has also been throwing it into people's faces if they aren't paying attention and the other night a lady was drinking water and he threw it in her face and yelled "MAGIC" with his Fosse hands and I just about lost it. I waited way too long after Pippin at the Stage Door for KDM to come (like an hour) oops.... sometimes I do crazy things but it was nice to see him for a quick moment. Ally had met u with me since she was staying over to make rush easier and give KDM something... then we headed back home and she helped me put together my fall s'mores which were gingersnap cookies in t shape of pumpkins with pumpkin shaped pumpkin marshmallows dipped in chocolate on top... so delicious! Karen and Sasha had the ladder out for decorations and left it there and I found Charlie stuck at the top not sure how to get down. Then after a long time we finally went to bed at like 2:30 am! oops!

Day 94/365 (October 19, 2014)

I wasn;t sure if I should see Pippin or not while KDM was on vacation since I should be careful with my finances but I really like the show and had heard good things about his understudy Mike Schwitter so I figured why not. It was so cold out, but I made it through the wait and got my favorite seat then I went home and ended up napping a tiny bit.

Mike was really very good as Pippin. Which considering who he was filling in for is not a compliment I would give sightly. If he was the one replacing KDM I wouldn't be sad. He only had a few minor moments where he was singing too quietly, but he made some really great acting choices. Orion was supposed to be gone but they needed him one more week so today turned out to really really really be his last show (kind of like Ravi as Abe). To everyone's surprise for the final part of the show when he came running out with the flame jugglers he had put his hair in a very impressive chunky spiky Mohawk and everyone onstage had to work extra hard not to laugh. He also did some extra fun stuff on the ball during curtain call song.

After the show I met up with Ben and his friend Ashley since they had seen it as well and we ended up going to Juniors. Katherine came to meet up with us. It was lovely chatting and then we got pumpkin cheesecake to share... oops!

Finally went home and was so sleepy so I didn't do much but I did try to set up the new modem TWC delivered and failed miserably, I had just given up hope when Sasha came home and a friend of hers saw and offered to help. Finally an hour later with his help and a call to TWC we were successful!

Day 46/365 (September 1, 2014)

Another crazy early morning. I had to get up to get on a 6:45 am train to Boston. Then i walked from North Station to South Station (while pausing in Faneuil Hall for some breakfast. I was at South Station way earlier than I needed to be but it was either that or take the next train which would have gotten in after my bus was supposed to leave, I was hoping to get standby on an earlier bus, which thankfully (despite potential revolt) I was able to get on the 10:30. The bus made great time until we got stuck outside of Macy's for a really ong time. After about 15 minutes or so I knew something strange was up because our driver parked the bus and came back to us the bus bathroom! He then told us all he would let us off there. We had no idea why until we were off the bus. I went to walk towards 7th and the entire area was blocked off. The police officer there said there a bomb threat so they couldn't let anyone through and I watched a giant double decker tourist bus trying to turn around to drive out while my poor bolt bus and one other waited their turn to do the same.

I was able to walk home using 6th and unpacked and ate and then got the air mattress ready for Andrey. I then met up with him and did some arts and crafting.

Later i got ready and met up with o Ann since we were going to 54 Below to see Grind: The concert. I knew nothing about the movie or its music but Eric Michael Krop, Anthony Rapp, and Natalie Weiss were performing so that's why I went. Eric even got to perform a few of his personal songs... seriously that dude is insane!  Then I stayed for sMASHed Up... Ben's mash up concert. Andrey and Rachel joined me for that and let me tell you it was cray! Not only did Ben create incredible song arrangements but the performers were just unreal! There were several BIO people which made m happy, including Taylor who has returned to NY (at least for now).. Those videos will become popular! Zach came to it also so we chatted after for a bit. I went home and didn't get to sleep until well after 2... oops!

Day 33/365 (August 19, 2014)

The morning started with a wake up call by Lola. We did some arts and crafts, then she helped me make pink pancakes, and she got to decorate her special cupcake. She then went in my room and started singing Bring It On so I turned the song on and she was dancing to it with pom-poms. Sadly I had to leave for work and she said she would miss me, but thankfully I am watching her on Saturday!

Work was usual, except one of our people is leaving us after several years, so Ted wanted us to all go out for a goodbye dinner, which is why I made that chocolate and peanut butter cake, with the Reese's!

Dinner was lovely except the stupid waiter who brought out the cake i made cut for us. before he set down the first slice he said "you know what the problem with homemade cakes is right? they dont look as pretty as our when cut" then he plopped down and unidentifiable piece of cake. They had trouble cutting it he says... dude it was a super soft chocolate and peanut butter cake i have made and cut before... fail!

I went home after dinner for like 2 minutes and went back out. it was a night of running into people (or creeping from afar). I saw two different people pass by me that resulted in my sending a text that said "I see you" and then i ended up at Pippin because there were a bunch of understudies on. Ari was on as Leading Player and I wish she could just take over the role full time, then Erik was on as Pippin, Colin as Lewis, and a bunch of ensemble people. I really just like Colin in every role I have seen him in, and Erik did a decent job. I thought his best moment was the final a cappella song he sings and then extraordinary even though he didn't do the back flip. I was glad to see John Rubenstein one last time before he leaves since this is his last week. The wonderful thing was I ran into Zach while getting a standing room ticket so we stood next to each other during the show and he kept me company while I actually stage doored the show. Then i also ran into Shoshana and Ben... after Zach and I left Pippin he walked me home and we stayed outside my apartment until like 12:30 chatting and had no idea how late it had gotten, and even ran into Shoshana and Ben again as they passed by my apartment. It was nice chatting it has been a while, though i was holding my playbill and one of the signatures transferred to my palm... it is going to be there for a while, ink just doesn't wash off.

The other fun thing about the show tonight was the fact that John had an issue when he was throwing his knife and it fell into the audience after making a loud noise. He went over and was like hand me back my dagger, and the person did and the whole audience was laughing, then he looks out into the audience with al serious and says SILENCE! i mean every one kept laughing but it was one of those moments that were just funny and I was glad to be there. (like when Annie Potts bounced too high before her song and missed her song entrance and was like "Charlie let's do that again i was bouncing too high."  Then when it was Erik's turn to throw the knives he also missed and he picked up the dropped one and then stabbed John's face with it, and the others as he was delivering his lines. it was a great way to recover from a flub and almost made the moment a touch more intense.